An eye on the Indo-Pacific

With the new Guidelines, the German government is responding to the increasing geostrategic importance of the Indo-Pacific nations. The Guidelines clearly state Germany’s desire to diversify relations with the region both in geographic and thematic terms. The German government buys a stake in shaping the relatively new political concept of the Indo-Pacific - not least in response to growing demands from the region for greater German involvement2. Established partnerships, including those with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Germany's "value partners" in the region create the framework for more intensive multilateral cooperation: in environmental and climate protection; security, human rights and the rule of law; in the deepening of economic relations, free trade and the digital transformation; but also in culture, education and science. In this way, Germany reiterates its backing of the international rule-based order. It seems likely that the Guidelines will provide the basis for an EU strategy.

The Guidelines were released at a noteworthy time: at the beginning of the German EU Council Presidency and shortly after the visit of the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to Berlin. So far, Germany is the only European country besides France to have published a strategy paper on the Indo-Pacific.

The KAS regional offices unanimously perceive the Guidelines as future-oriented and sustainable. At the same time, most resident representatives view the Guidelines as only moderately or not courageous. The KAS regional offices also do not expect major changes in the cooperation between Germany or the EU and the Indo-Pacific partners. Yet they emphasised that the strategy paper articulates concrete and clear policy statements. The KAS offices, along with the German Embassies and Chambers of Commerce, overwhelmingly see themselves as outreach platforms for Germany’s Indo-Pacific engagement and cooperate closely with the respective political decision-makers.